A Billion Chinese Can Not Be Wrong - Yossi Aloni ISRAEL TODAY

A Billion Chinese Can Not Be Wrong

Friday, March 31, 2017 |  Yossi Aloni  ISRAEL TODAY

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Topics:

Israel , Israeli Goodwill

The website of the Israeli Embassy in China on the Chinese social network (Wibu) is the most popular of all foreign embassies with 1.9 million followers. The US Embassy has only 1 million followers.

Foreign embassies in China do not understand how the Israeli embassy achieved this popularity.

The Wibu social media network has 600 million registered users of which around 300 million are active.

The Israeli Embassy in China has 1.9 million followers, in second place and very far behind the Israeli Embassy is the Canadian Embassy with 1.13 million followers with the US Embassy in China in third place with 1.035 million followers, almost half those of Israel. In fourth place is the Brazilian embassy with half a million followers, in fifth place is the Japanese embassy with less than half a million followers, followed by South Korea with 396,000, Cuba with 289,000, France was in ninth spot with 255,000, and the Russian embassy was in 10th place 167,000.

An article entitled "What's new in Wibu" tried to analyze what makes the Israeli embassy in China so popular. The answer given is that in general Chinese citizens have a very positive attitude towards Israel. In addition, activities of the Embassy in Beijing and the Consulate General in Shanghai were widely appreciated. One of them was when the Shanghai Consulate published a video clip of hundreds of Israelis (including Prime Minister Netanyahu) holding up signs in Chinese thanking the Chinese people for the shelter they gave the Jews during World War II. After past Israeli president Shimon Peres passed away, half a million followers visited the embassy site and recorded their condolences hailing Peres as a great friend of China.

Several articles about the Israeli Embassy were published in the Chinese media and by several leading Chinese bloggers.

Among other things, the Israeli Embassy website offers, pictures of the Golan Heights, pictures of Tel Aviv at night, pictures of the Old City of Jerusalem, historical information about Israel, a list of the most popular names in Israel, an explanation of Chanukah and donuts, photos of extinguishing the fires that recently ravaged Israel, many posts on Israeli innovation, explanations regarding the operation of Shabbat elevators, explanations why Israeli cows produce the most milk per cow in the world, posts about the Israeli culinary scene, posts about Chinese bloggers visiting the country and more.

The site is meticulous in maintaining contact with its followers and also conducts award-winning campaigns, advertises sets of Dead Sea products, Israeli wine, magnets, tickets for Israeli cultural events and even airline tickets to Israel. Among other things, the site ran a quiz with questions such as how many Israeli cities the Chinese followers know, their favorite Israeli dishes, etc.

As part of the launch of the 10-year visa agreement between Israel and China last November, a number of participants were flown to Israel in an online campaign, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, El Al, Hainan and Dan Hotels. The embassy asked visitors to send videos explaining Israel. In response, hundreds of videos were received, from which four winners were chosen and provided with an air ticket and a stay in an Israeli hotel.

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China ‘notes’ Pope’s new year greeting, calls for flexibility - TRUNEWS

China ‘notes’ Pope’s new year greeting, calls for flexibility

Jan.3, 2016 TRUNEWS

China said on Wednesday it had “noted” an interview in which Pope Francis sent Lunar New Year
greetings to President Xi Jinping, and called on the Vatican to be flexible in creating conditions for better relations.

The Vatican, which has had no formal diplomatic ties with Beijing since shortly after the Communist Party took power in 1949, has been trying to improve ties with China and its state-sanctioned Catholic Church.

The main point of contention between Beijing and the Vatican is which side should have the final say in the appointment of bishops. Another stumbling block is the Holy See’s recognition of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.


Pope Francis holds a skullcap given to him by a faithful as he arrives to lead the weekly audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Max Rossi

While he was in South Korea in 2014, the Pope urged China to pursue a formal dialogue to benefit both sides. While flying to South Korea, his plane was allowed to cross Chinese air space, a first for a pope.

In the interview in the Asia Times this week, the Pope did not mention difficult subjects like human rights, expressing his admiration for China and sending his best wishes to Xi and China’s people ahead of next week’s Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said he had “noted the relevant report”.

“China has always been sincere about improving Sino-Vatican ties, and have made many efforts in this regard,” Lu told a daily news briefing.

“We are still willing to have constructive dialogue with the Vatican based on this principle, meeting each other half way, and keep pushing forward the development of the process of improving bilateral relations. We also hope that the Vatican can take a flexible, pragmatic attitude to creating conditions for improving ties.”

Lu did not elaborate.

Ahava Love Letter - "Rise Again" (Steve Martin)

"Rise Again"

“"Thus says the Lord God to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath
to enter you that you may come to life. 'I will put sinews 
on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and 
put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will 
know that I am the Lord.'" (Ezekiel 37:5-6 NAS)

Dear family of friends,

Listening to singer/song writer Paul Wilbur’s “Song of Ezekiel” sure does excite my spirit. I have his latest project, “Your Great Name” (2013) in my car, and turn it up on the way during the early drive to work (full video below).

Hearing him proclaim that Israel, and I believe the Church as well, will rise again in these last days, to complete the task that was set in place from the beginning of eternity. The Lord God of Israel and the nations has a plan. Check this out.

Ezekiel 37:1-28 (NAS)

“The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.  He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.  He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

And I answered, "O Lord God, You know."  Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'  "Thus says the Lord God to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 'I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.'"

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them.  

Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.' "Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.

 "Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. "I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and done it," declares the Lord.'"

 The word of the Lord came again to me saying,  "And you, son of man, take for yourself one stick and write on it, 'For Judah and for the sons of Israel, his companions'; then take another stick and write on it, 'For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and all the house of Israel, his companions.' "Then join them for yourself one to another into one stick, that they may become one in your hand.

 "When the sons of your people speak to you saying, 'Will you not declare to us what you mean by these?'  say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will put them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand."'

 "The sticks on which you write will be in your hand before their eyes.  "Say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone, and I will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king will be king for all of them; and they will no longer be two nations and no longer be divided into two kingdoms.

"They will no longer defile themselves with their idols, or with their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them.

And they will be My people, and I will be their God. "My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them.  "They will live on the land that I gave to Jacob My servant, in which your fathers lived; and they will live on it, they, and their sons and their sons' sons, forever; and David My servant will be their prince forever.

 "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever. "My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

"And the nations will know that I am the Lord  who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever."'"

That day has come. In the natural, the Jewish people have, and continue to, return to the Promised Land, where they will abide for eternity. No one or nothing will stop the King of Israel from completing His plan. Not the USA White House, not the Kremlin, not the Beijing government. Not even the devil himself, try as he will.

And as the natural is being restored, so is the spiritual. The Church will be empowered to take the Gospel to the nations, in power and with a revelation of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) love for His nations. We will rise again!

Do not lose hope. Do not grow weary with despair or continue in a depressive spirit. As Bob Mumford used to say, “We have read the end of the Book, and we win!”

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. 

Please consider sending a charitable gift of $5-$25 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless Israel with our humanitarian ministry. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Go here for safe ONLINE GIFT GIVING THROUGH  OUR WEBSITE using major credit cards: www.loveforhispeople.org/support If you don't have a PayPal account you can also use your credit card or bank account (where available). 

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

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Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

Paul Wilbur - Song of Ezekiel video

 Please share this Ahava Love Letter with your friends.

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com   martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People   
   

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter

Blog: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com 
       

Full website: www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Ahava Love Letter #66   “Rise Again”  ©2013 Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (08/08/13 Thursday at 8 pm in Charlotte, NC)

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog:

 http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com   
     

Here are the last few:

The Cities (#65)

How can You Mend A Broken Heart (#64)

Anxious (#63)

Hidden (#62)

Get Back in the Boat (#61)

Need Money? (#60)

Rejected? (#59)

In Your Building – Guard Against Distractions (#58)

Connections (#57)

Your Name (#56)

Lost, But Not Forgotten Friends (#55)

Ahava Love Letter (#53) - "We Speak To Nations"

“We Speak To Nations” “So I give thanks to you, Adonai, among the nations; sing praises to Your name.” (2 Sam 22:50 CJB  Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

When my good wife Laurie and I went to China in 2002, we were representing Derek Prince Ministries, along with a small USA group smuggling in Chinese Bibles and Derek's teaching books. These particular treasured nuggets had been translated into Mandarin Chinese. In my personal carry-on I had also brought along the latest Integrity Music's CD of the Month. 

The disc had just come in the mail a few days before we left on this adventurous journey, so I was as excited as ever to hear this new one. It had become the newest edition in my 14 year long subscription collection of Integrity's Hosanna! Music. (Thank you Michael Coleman for your leadership at Integrity!)

That specific praise and worship CD, then rotating in my portable player, was Lakewood's "We Speak To Nations". (IPods had just come out the year before. Steve Jobs' latest Apple big tech craving was a bit above my budget.) The title song was also "We Speak To Nations."

As I sat on the 22 hour train ride from Guangzhou to Beijing, I played this song over and over again. The repeat button just stay on. And during that literal full day stretch of time, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) made sure the sound and words would sink deep into my spirit. I am grateful He did.

During those long hours on the tracks (both train and CD - pun intended) I literally had tears running down my face, while I sat listening with ear buds on. I didn’t want to awaken the others as they slept.

The sound of the nations was calling out to my heart.

We can speak to nations in many ways. These days it is primarily through social media. But even still, a main format can still be by singing, in person.

As worship leaders who love Jesus (Yeshua), and thus the nations, my wife and I are committed to sing in and to the nations. Our hearts and eyes are especially lazar focused on Israel, whom we especially love.

And...Lord willing too, we plan on taking the Ahava Love Band with us to Jerusalem in 2014 - to do just that – sing His praise and worship in Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel)!

Maybe there will be other locations the Lord will send us to, in addition, as we speak to nations.

Ahava (love in Hebrew) to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President


P.S. To hear the song "We Speak To Nations", the YouTube link is further down this page.

We Speak to Nations album for sale by Lakewood Church was released May 28, 2002 on the Epic label. Personnel: Derrick Horne (guitar); The Nashville String Machine (strings); Randy Allison (saxophone); Robert A. We Speak to Nations buy CD music Martin , Gary Weldon (trumpet); Jay Henry (trombone); Aaron Lindsey (piano, organ, synthesizer); Israel Houghton (piano); Steve Allison (drums); Marvin Sparks (percussion); Raymond Boyd (drum programming). We Speak to Nations songs Audio Mixers: Chuck Harris; Reed Hall; Sanchez Harley. We Speak to Nations album for sale Recording information: Lakewood Church, Houston, TX; Quad Studio A, Nashville, TN. Lakewood Church includes: Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff (director, vocals); Israel Houghton (vocals, acoustic & electric guitar); Tim Parkinson (guitar); Randy Allison (saxophone); Derrick Horne (programming); Lakewood Church Choir, The Nashville String Machine. We Speak to Nations CD music contains a single disc with 14 songs.
 

Israel Houghton & Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff

"We Speak To Nations: is also found on Israel Houghton's album:

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

©2013 Steve Martin      Love For His People, Inc.  12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134      

E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People       

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

Websites: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com         www.loveforhispeople.org

YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.  Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #53   Date: In the year of our Lord 2013 (05/09/13 Thursday 5:30 a.m. Charlotte, NC)

Yeshua's eyes are on the nations.

YouTube video: We Speak To Nations

Heart for the nations.

Blow the shofar in Israel!

"WE SPEAK TO NATIONS"

YouTube:

We Speak To Nations - Lakewood Church, featuring Israel Houghton

When my wife Laurie and I went to China in 2002, representing the USA staff of Derek Prince Ministries, and part of a small group smuggling Chinese Bibles and Derek's Mandarin Chinese translated teaching books, I had the latest Integrity Music's CD of the Month with me.

It had come in the mail just a few days before we left on this adventorous journey, so I was as excited as ever to hear it. (It had become the newest edition of my 14 year long subscription collection of Integrity's Hosanna! Music. Thank you Michael Coleman for your leadership at Integrity!)

That specific praise and worship CD, rotating in my portable player, was Lakewood's "We Speak To Nations". (IPods had just come out the year before. Steve Jobs' of Apple latest big tech craving was a bit above my budget.) The title song was also "We Speak To Nations."

Israel Houghton at Lakewood Church 

- Houston, TX (Joel Olsteen)

As I sat on the 22 hour train ride from Guangzhou to Beijing, I played this song over and over again. The Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) made sure it sank deep into my spirit. I am grateful He did.

During those long hours on the tracks (both train and CD - pun intended) I literally had tears running down my face, while I sat listening with ear buds on, as others slept. The sound of the nations was calling to my heart.


We can speak to nations in many ways. These days it is primarily through social media.



But even still, a main format can still be by singing, in person.

As worship leaders who love Jesus (Yeshua), and thus the nations, my wife and I will continue to sing in and to the nations, especially Israel, which we especially love.

And...Lord willing too, we plan on taking the Ahava Love Band with us to Jerusalem in 2014 to do just that!

Laurie and I as the lead vocals with the band.

Maybe there will be other nations the Lord will send us to after that.

Ahava (love in Hebrew),

Steve Martin

It's time to go...

Derek Prince Ministries staff (2002-2004) - bottom of photo

Vision for Israel staff (2006) - top portion of photo

Ahava Love Letter (#29)- "Carry My Bags" - from the archives

      Ahava Love Letter

“Carry My Bags”  “Your God and the God of your father put treasure in your packs.” (Gen. 43:23 CJB)

Dear family of friends,

In August of 2002, Laurie and I had the tremendous blessing of going on a Derek Prince Ministries outreach trip into China. We were among ten others who carried Bibles in the Chinese language, and translated books of Derek Prince, to give to underground believers thoughout the vast country. From Hong Kong to Beijing and back, we rode the 22 hour train rides to deliver these “carry on” bags loaded with the Lord’s treasures. The believers we passed the written words onto were so thrilled to be receiving His Word in their own language, to share with the home churches hidden from the governing authorities.

As “tourists” in outward appearance, we saw the sights of the Imperial Gardens, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. As mules for His purposes, we connected with our brothers and sisters in the faith, supporting and encouraging them with our goods. While here in the USA we often take for granted the readily availability of books and related teaching tools, even one page of the Scripture is so precious to them. Often it was copied many times and passed onto others. They were willing to take the risk of having it found in their hands, which was cause for possible torture in prison, or death. It was a stealth mission.

A few years earlier, after completing almost 14 years with a ministry having a worldwide impact, my heart’s desire longed to travel internationally. Being my main responsibility was the administration of the ministry and related church, my time though was spent on the home front, tending the local needs. Even though the Lord had put in my heart a desire since my youth to “be a missionary”, it seemed my never ending mission was to “hold down the fort” as others went out.

When I finally got the courage to request the opportunity to accompany the main minister on at least one international trip a year, the short response was, “What would you do, carry my bags?”

My self worth was shattered. In less than six months I had left that ministry, rejected and left wondering what had been accomplished during those years.

But oh how the Lord has a way of showing His faithfulness.

Near the end of the China “tour”, after dropping off our final bags to a pastor in Beijing, the group had a free day to travel to the Great Wall, just west of the capital city. As Laurie and I sat on the bus seats, the Holy Spirit spoke a word to my heart. “You can carry My bags.”

At first I wasn’t sure if it was Him when I heard the word. I wondered what He meant. And then tears came down my cheeks as the impact of what He had just shared gripped, and comforted, my heart.

“You can carry My bags.” The good Lord had just allowed us to deliver His precious treasure, in written form, to hungry believers in this vast land. When another had earlier considered my worth as a simple baggage carrier, the Lord God of Israel had counted this journey as precious in His sight, and held us in high esteem. Deep into my soul the value that He held for me healed the rejection and hurt experienced before.

As we later climbed the 182 steps on that Great Wall to the tower we ventured on, I wasn’t singing “Climb Every Mountain” that Julie Andrews sang in the Sound of Music. But I was making melody in my heart, having been given the opportunity to “carry His bags” to a multitude of people in this foreign land.

Remember, what the enemy means for evil, the Lord will cause for good as we seek His purposes. Keep on walking as you carry His message to those around you, whether in word or deed. He is so grateful that you too are carrying His bags, and He delights in you.

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a charitable gift to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel. Our website  http://www.loveforhispeople.com/ lists the opportunities available. You can send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)

©2011 Steve  Martin      Love For His People, Inc.  12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134      

E-mail: ahavaloveletters@gmail.com

Facebook pages: Steve Martin  and  Love For His People       

Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter 

Blogger: http://loveforhispeople.blogspot.com/         YouTube: loveforhispeopleinc

Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858.  Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.

Ahava Love Letter #29   Date: Aug. 2, in the year of our Lord 2011